Deschamps is ready for the ‘final curtain’ as France face England in the World Cup third-place play-off
Didier Deschamps delivered an emotional farewell speech on the eve of his final game as France manager, declaring the national team “the best thing that ever happened to me” as he prepares to lead Les Bleus against England in the third-place play-off at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami tomorrow.
Deschamps will stand on the field for the last time on Saturday, bringing the curtain down on 14 years of winning the World Cup in 2018 and finishing second in 2022.
“I feel responsible for the game. It’s not a friendly game,” said Deschamps. “It is not what we would have liked to choose, but it is here. The third place is at stake, so I have a job, together with my staff and players, to do everything to achieve this final goal, which may not be so important.
“It’s planned, there’s a goal, so you’re going there. That’s what stays in my mind. When there’s victory and smiles and happiness, those are the best times.
“If not, it’s not so fun, but you have to accept it. Going out was certainly part of our mistake, which means the technical area, and there’s no doubt that it’s because of the quality of this Spanish team, which has raised the level. You have to accept it. There’s this game in front of us, then it’s a holiday. They need it.”
‘He gritted his teeth’
The value of Tuesday’s loss went beyond the score line. William Saliba was sent off after 30 minutes at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, and was replaced by Crystal Palace’s Maxence Lacroix, who was unable to continue with a back problem that had plagued him throughout the tournament.
There have been reports that the Arsenal defender may need surgery before the new season, and Deschamps was open about the extent of what Saliba was carrying.
“William Saliba’s injury is a problem, tests are being done. His injury is not too bad. He has had that, unfortunately, since March, so he was able to, grit his teeth. At one point, the pain, unfortunately for him and for us, was unbearable.”
Deschamps also spoke about the impact Adrien Rabiot’s yellow card situation had on his thinking and the way France played against Spain, drawing on his experience as a player in a similar situation.
“Then Adrien came. In the first cooling off, he came to see me and said, ‘Coach, I can’t play my normal game anymore. I can’t play my game anymore.’ Sorry to be able to understand because I was a player and I found myself facing two semi final situations with a yellow card on my head.
“Today, that’s not the case because it’s been cleared. I said to him, ‘Handle it, avoid leaving your foot behind because that could lead to …’ There was one act where it was a close call. I played those games but I was my shadow, because you always have the handbrake, the sword of Damocles over your head.
“Would I have done it differently? Yes, but I don’t know how it would have gone, I’ve been asking myself the question for a long time, ‘what if? I did it, I made a choice based on what I thought at the time about the elements, my knowledge and taking into account everything I knew. After that, that leaves room for interpretation, and that’s it.”
Mbappe and Olise are tested
Regarding Kylian Mbappe’s fitness, Deschamps added: “He is available. The French captain goes into the match tied for third place with Lionel Messi with eight goals, Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham with six each.
“There are always encouraging levers, but Kylian doesn’t need a lever,” said Deschamps. “It is better to finish third than fourth. We will do everything to ensure that we achieve this goal, and Kylian will be the captain.”
The France manager also gave a test to Michael Olise, who failed to feature in the semi-final against Spain.
“He was not at his best level like other players, I talked to him for a long time, without going into secrets, despite everything, he still has a chance to go forward.
“What he can do today compared to the past? Will he be better? Yes he will be even better. Will Desire Doue, a 21-year-old fearsome player, playing in his first World Cup, benefit from this? Yes. It all depends on the characters and personality, too.”
‘The best thing that ever happened to me’
Deschamps was very emotional when he spoke of Saturday’s significance as the final chapter of his international career, which began when he took over in 2012 after the departure of Laurent Blanc.
“We have to play and respect the game. Undoubtedly, if there was no game that had to be played, it would have been better for England and for us, but it is the World Cup and there is third place as a goal, and we will do everything to achieve this final goal.
“How many teams have gone home?
“There is a job when you wear this jersey, I said it since 2012. It exists because there is a responsibility to wear this jersey to millions of French women and French women behind us, who were happy, disappointed, and the new generation.
“I know very well that the final curtain is tomorrow, without making anyone cry, I don’t think anyone will cry here, I know that the French national team will miss me.
“But I’ve had the privilege for 15 years to be up here with this jersey, I’m going through good times and very difficult times, life goes on and I don’t know what it’s going to do, but I’m a positive person. I know it’s going to be good again.
“The French national team, and everything it can include, in my professional life is the best thing that has happened to me, and it took 25 years of my life. 25 years of a man’s life, for a woman, leaves a mark, and leaves an even bigger mark because there are still unforgettable memories. But the important thing is always in front of you.”
